Informationselement

Informationselement, often translated as information element or data element, is a basic unit of information used in information systems, data modeling, and communications. It represents a discrete piece of information with a defined meaning, format, and constraints, enabling consistent interpretation across contexts.

A typical informationselement has a name, a data type, and defined constraints such as length, range, or enumerated values. It may also include metadata like units of measurement, precision, source, and validity rules. Elements can be primitive, representing a single value, or composite, composed of several subordinate elements forming a record or structure.

In practice, informationselementen are used to model data structures, specify fields in databases and messages, and describe data exchange formats. They serve as the building blocks of information models, data dictionaries, and schemas, supporting data interoperability and validation. Clear semantics and constraints help ensure that different systems interpret the same element consistently.

Examples include a string element like FirstName with a maximum length, a date element like BirthDate, or a numeric element like Height with an associated unit (centimeters). In standardized contexts, information elements are identified and described to guarantee consistent encoding, transfer, and interpretation across systems and organizations.

Related concepts include data element, attribute, field, data dictionary, and metadata. The English terminology corresponds to the German Informationselement in IT and data modelling discussions.